Investigation of a planar chiral waveguide structure by a modified ATR method

Chiral properties of planar waveguide structures with a core layer formed by a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) host matrix doped with chiral santonin were investigated by means of a modified attenuated total reflection (ATR) method. Distinct modification of the observed ATR spectra was revealed for right and left circularly polarised incident beams. From comparison of the experimental spectra with theoretical curves, the following specific rotation was obtained: [α]=11,200 deg cm² g⁻¹ (santonin/ PMMA mass ratio 2:1). The origin of the observed optical activity and its influence on the waveguide dispersion characteristics are briefly discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.